Pulling Threads, Weaving Authenticity

Leslie Mathews
  • 5.0 (5)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Pulling Threads is a podcast for women navigating life, career, past and current trauma, breakups and divorce, motherhood, reinvention, and the brave work of becoming who they’re meant to be. Hosted by therapist, coach, and founder of The LooM Life, Leslie Mathews, JD, MSW, this show blends trauma-informed guidance, nervous system education, and meaningful conversations about the patterns that shape our relationships, identity, and purpose. Each episode explores the complicated places where life asks us to grow — healing from emotional abuse, rebuilding after divorce, midlife identity shifts, attachment wounds, dating again, motherhood, and rediscovering your voice. Many guests share their own stories of reinvention, entrepreneurship, career pivots, and stepping into authenticity, offering inspiration and practical wisdom for women building new chapters. Through expert interviews, personal storytelling, and mindfulness-based tools, Pulling Threads supports women who are healing, expanding, and creating aligned lives and businesses. It’s a space for those navigating toxic dynamics, strengthening emotional regulation, or following the pull toward something more authentic and more fulfilling. If you’re ready to untangle old patterns, trust your intuition, and weave a life — and identity — that feels grounded, empowered, and true, this podcast is where your next chapter begins.

  1. 2D AGO

    Is it Intuition or a Trauma Response? How to Tell the Difference

    Have you ever felt consumed by doubt about someone you love — and nothing happened to explain it? In this episode, I'm sharing something deeply personal: trust issues that surfaced out of nowhere, no trigger, no cause — just the feeling, growing louder. As a therapist and someone who has done years of her own healing work, I know how disorienting this can be. Because here's the question that changes everything: Is this your intuition telling you something true — or is it an old wound asking to be seen? In this video, I walk you through: → Why intuition and trauma response feel almost identical (the neuroscience) → 4 questions to help you tell the difference — including one most people never ask → How generational trauma shows up as doubt in your closest relationships → The real trust question underneath it all: do you trust yourself? → Why self-doubt surfaces exactly when abundance is trying to reach you → Somatic tools to regulate before you interpret This episode is for you if you have a history of trust wounds from past relationships or childhood, you're building something meaningful and keep finding yourself distracted by doubt, you struggle to receive love, money, or opportunity without bracing for it to disappear, or you've ever wondered whether your gut feeling was wisdom — or fear wearing a new costume. RESOURCES & LINKS To Work with Leslie: → Book a Free Discovery Call: https://theloomlife.com/discovery-call?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=youtube&utm_content=the-ghost-in-the-room-intuition-vs-old-wound → Visit The LooM Life: https://www.theloomlife.com → Visit LooM Life Therapy: https://www.loomlifetherapy.com ⏱ CHAPTERS 0:00 — When the doubt has no reason 2:15 — Why intuition and trauma feel the same (neuroscience) 6:00 — 4 questions to tell the difference 11:30 — What we inherited: generational trauma and the patterns we came here to break 15:00 — The real trust question underneath it all 19:00 — When self-doubt blocks abundance 21:30 — Somatic tools: regulate before you interpret 22:30 — Closing reflection LET'S CONNECT If this landed somewhere real for you, leave a comment below. I read every one. → Instagram: @the.loom.life → Substack: [INSERT LINK] ABOUT THE LOOM LIFE The LooM Life is a coaching and support space for women navigating divorce, breakup, and major life transitions. Our work is rooted in mindfulness, somatic healing, attachment theory, and the belief that clarity, peace, and abundance are not things you earn — they are things you remember. #intuitionvstrauma #trustissues #healingjourney #divorcerecovery #selftrustcoach #generationaltrauma #abundancemindset #traumahealing #somatichealing #womenhealing #attachmenttheory #innerchild #theloomlife #pullingthreads

    31 min

  2. 5D AGO

    Navigating Trauma in Family Court After Emotional Abuse

    Divorce trauma, family court, and emotional abuse are deeply connected — but almost no one prepares women for what actually happens inside the family court system. In this episode of Pulling Threads, therapist and divorce support specialist Leslie Mathews explains why many women leaving emotionally abusive marriages experience new trauma during divorce proceedings and what they can do to protect themselves emotionally, mentally, and legally. If you are navigating high-conflict divorce, coercive control, litigation abuse, or family court after emotional abuse, this episode will help you understand what is happening in your nervous system and how to prepare for one of the most stressful processes of your life. Leslie breaks down the science of trauma responses during divorce, the ways the family court system can unintentionally retraumatize survivors, and the strategies that help women stay regulated, clear-thinking, and prepared when navigating custody disputes, legal proceedings, and high-conflict ex-partners. You’ll also learn why understanding coercive control, nervous system regulation, documentation, and trauma-informed support can dramatically change your experience in divorce court. This conversation is honest, validating, and empowering — especially for women who feel overwhelmed, unheard, or retraumatized by the legal system. Resources & Links 🌿 The LooM Life https://www.theloomlife.com 🌿 LooM Life Therapy https://www.loomlifetherapy.com 📅 Book a support call https://www.theloomlife.com 📱 Follow for more conversations about relationships, trauma healing, and life transitions: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/the.loom.life #divorcesupport #emotionalabuse #highconflictdivorce #divorcerecovery #traumahealing

    18 min

  3. MAR 8

    Turning 50 & Rewriting My Story: Healing, Divorce, Mindfulness & Finding Myself Again

    Turning 50 reflections on healing, divorce, mindfulness, and rebuilding life after losing yourself. In this special birthday episode of Pulling Threads, I’m sharing a deeply personal reflection as I step into my 50s. Over the last decade, my life completely transformed. Divorce, therapy, EMDR, mindfulness, and profound personal healing reshaped the way I understand relationships, identity, and what it means to truly live authentically. Ten years ago, I barely recognized the woman I had become. I had stepped away from my career, was navigating a difficult marriage, and felt disconnected from myself. My 40s became the decade where the fog slowly lifted and I began pulling the threads of my story apart to understand what was really driving my life. In this episode, I answer questions many women ask about divorce, healing trauma, mindfulness, relationships, and rediscovering your authentic self. I talk openly about staying in a marriage for 15 years, how childhood wounds can shape our adult relationships, and how mindfulness-based stress reduction helped me change my relationship with emotions, conflict, and love. If you’re navigating divorce, personal reinvention, or wondering whether it’s too late to rewrite your life story, this conversation is for you. Because healing doesn’t mean your past disappears. It means your past stops running your life. Turning 50_ Rewriting My Story … ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 Introduction – A different kind of episode 02:00 Losing myself in my 30s & early 40s 05:00 The moment I realized I wasn’t living authentically 09:00 Photography, presence, and discovering mindfulness 11:00 The retreat that changed everything 14:00 Why I stayed in my marriage for 15 years 20:00 Childhood wounds and attachment patterns 27:00 The unexpected heartbreak of divorce friendships 29:00 How mindfulness-based stress reduction changed my life 33:00 What I learned about love after divorce 38:00 Why I’m not afraid of turning 50 43:00 The biggest lesson from my 40s 🌿 About Pulling Threads Pulling Threads is a podcast about healing, authenticity, relationships, trauma recovery, and personal transformation. Each episode explores the emotional and psychological patterns that shape our lives so we can untangle what’s holding us back and create something new. Hosted by therapist and mindfulness practitioner Leslie Mathews, founder of The LooM Life. 🔗 Resources & Links 🌿 The LooM Life https://www.theloomlife.com 🌿 LooM Life Therapy https://loomlifetherapy.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/the.loom.life ❤️ If this episode resonated • Subscribe for weekly conversations on healing and relationships • Share this episode with someone who needs it • Comment below: What did your 40s teach you?

    46 min

  4. MAR 3

    Triggered or Activated? Understanding Your Nervous System Story

    Nervous system regulation, co-regulation, and the window of tolerance aren’t just therapy buzzwords. They shape how we parent, partner, teach, and show up in conflict every single day. In this powerful episode of Pulling Threads, I sit down with Rosanne Carter, LMFT, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Therapist and nervous system consultant, to explore how our nervous systems narrate our lives before we even realize it. We discuss: • What co-regulation actually means and what it doesn’t • Why your body reacts before your brain can think • The difference between being “triggered” and being activated • The window of tolerance, developed by Dr. Dan Siegel, explained clearly • Fawning vs. people-pleasing • Burnout in therapists, teachers, and attorneys • Sacred rage and setting boundaries after emotional immaturity • How to regulate yourself in the courtroom, classroom, or kitchen • A simple vagus nerve technique you can use immediately This conversation is especially relevant for: ✔ Therapists and helping professionals ✔ Parents navigating big emotions ✔ Women healing after divorce ✔ Teachers and attorneys experiencing burnout ✔ Anyone wanting to better understand trauma, activation, and emotional regulation Your nervous system holds stories, and when you learn to listen, everything shifts. 🔗 Connect with Rosanne Carter 🌐 www.kavana-consulting.com 🌐 www.rosannecartercoaching.com 💼 Rosanne Carter 📸 @msrosannecarter 🔗 Connect with Leslie Mathews and The LooM Life 🌿 The LooM Life (Coaching): https://www.theloomlife.com 🧠 Loom Life Therapy: www.loomlifetherapy.com 📸 Instagram: @the.loom.life 🎙 Podcast: Pulling Threads #DivorceRecovery #NervousSystemHealing #EmotionalRegulation #TraumaInformed #WomenHealing

    57 min

  5. FEB 24

    Avoidant Attachment in Love: Why You’re Drawn to Him & How to Break the Cycle

    If you’ve ever loved an avoidant man and felt confused, anxious, or emotionally exhausted, this episode is for you. In today’s deep dive into avoidant attachment, we unpack attachment theory, the anxious-avoidant dynamic, and what actually happens inside the nervous system when closeness triggers withdrawal. This is not a “fix him” episode — it’s about understanding attachment styles so you can make empowered, secure decisions in love. I break down the difference between dismissive avoidant vs. fearful avoidant attachment, why secure and anxious women are often magnetically drawn to avoidant partners, and how the push-pull cycle keeps repeating. You’ll also learn practical tools for navigating avoidant attachment dynamics without abandoning yourself. If you’re navigating anxious attachment, avoidant attachment in relationships, or wondering whether to stay or walk away, this conversation will give you clarity and grounded perspective. If you want deeper support around attachment, divorce recovery, relational healing, or nervous system regulation: 🌿 The LooM Life (Coaching & Courses): https://www.theloomlife.com 🧠 Loom Life Therapy (Florida residents): https://www.loomlifetherapy.com 📲 Instagram: @the.loom.life 🎙 Subscribe to Pulling Threads for weekly conversations on attachment, trauma-informed relationships, and mindful healing. If this episode resonated, please like, subscribe, and share with someone who needs language for what they’re feeling. #AvoidantAttachment #AttachmentTheory #AnxiousAvoidant #SecureAttachment #TheLoomLife

    25 min

  6. FEB 19

    Dating and Relationship Q&A with Therapist and Coach

    In this impromptu Valentine’s Day episode of Pulling Threads, I answer real relationship questions about attachment styles, commitment fears, love languages, anxious–avoidant dynamics, and even astrology compatibility Valentine’s Day Relationship Q&… . As a therapist, coach, and someone who has personally navigated divorce and attachment healing, I respond alongside insight from a male transformational coach offering the “reformed player” perspective. We explore why people push love away when they want it, how anxious and avoidant partners can actually make it work, when to walk away from a situationship, and how nervous system regulation changes everything in modern dating. If you’ve ever felt stuck in relationship limbo or confused about your attachment patterns, this episode is for you. ⏱ Timestamps / Chapters 00:00 Intro – Surprise Valentine’s Day Q&A 02:30 Why Do I Push People Away? (Avoidant Attachment) 08:45 Love Languages Conflict – Quality Time vs Physical Touch 14:10 Astrology Compatibility – Should You Trust It? 20:05 How Long Is Too Long to Wait for Commitment? 26:45 Is Anxious + Avoidant a Death Sentence? 34:00 Final Thoughts on Healing & Secure Attachment 🌿 Resources & Links ✨ The LooM Life (Coaching & Courses): https://www.theloomlife.com 🧠 LooM Life Therapy (Therapy Services): https://www.loomlifetherapy.com 🎙 Follow Pulling Threads: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.loom.life

    35 min

  7. FEB 17

    Why Midlife Feels So Hard: Perimenopause, Emotional Reactivity & Identity

    Why does life look fine on the outside but feel overwhelming on the inside? In this episode of Pulling Threads, Leslie sits down with psychotherapist Maris Pasquale Doran to explore emotional reactivity, nervous system regulation, mindfulness, midlife transitions, grief, identity loss, and the quiet exhaustion so many women carry during divorce, separation, and major life change. This conversation speaks directly to women navigating divorce recovery, considering separation, or feeling disconnected in long term marriage. Even when there is no crisis happening, the body can stay in fight or flight. The nervous system holds unprocessed grief, suppressed anger, role collision, and identity confusion. Together they unpack: • Why high functioning women feel anxious and reactive even when life looks stable • How nervous system dysregulation impacts relationships and decision making • The hidden grief of midlife, motherhood, aging, and divorce • Why perimenopause is not the whole story • How mindfulness based stress reduction supports emotional regulation • How to shift from survival mode to grounded presence • The power of pause, breathwork, and body awareness • Breaking people pleasing patterns in marriage and relationships • Moving from reactivity to conscious response If divorce feels terrifying, if the marriage feels suffocating, if identity feels lost, this episode offers grounded psychological insight and practical nervous system tools for women seeking clarity, confidence, and emotional stability. This is for the woman lying awake at 2 AM questioning everything. The woman who looks strong on the outside but feels untethered within. The woman who wants peace without blowing up her life impulsively. Mindfulness, emotional awareness, and nervous system regulation are not luxury practices. They are survival skills during divorce and major life transitions. Healing begins with awareness.🤍 I trained in the official MBSR lineage at Brown University, continuing the work of Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, founder of the original MBSR program at UMass Medical Center. And now I’m bringing this transformative framework to women navigating divorce, separation, heartbreak, and reinvention. 🧡 JOIN THE UPCOMING MBSR GROUP Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Women Navigating Separation, Divorce & Breakups Where neuroscience meets self-compassion to help you regulate, rebuild, and rise. 📅 Starts late January 🌐 Virtual (Florida-based, open to all women) #DivorceRecovery #NervousSystemRegulation #MindfulnessForWomen #MidlifeTransformation #HealingAfterDivorce

    1h 25m

  8. FEB 12

    Reclaiming Your Voice, Healing Silence

    Reclaiming Your Voice: Healing Silence After Trauma, Criticism, and Emotional Harm What if you’re not afraid to speak up — but afraid of what happened when you did? In this episode of Pulling Threads, therapist, former attorney, and mindfulness teacher Leslie Mathews explores why so many thoughtful, capable people struggle to use their voice — even when they know their ideas matter. This isn’t about public speaking tips or “just being brave.” It’s about how silence becomes a survival strategy when speaking up once led to ridicule, punishment, emotional withdrawal, or subtle psychological harm. Drawing from personal experience, trauma-informed psychology, nervous system regulation, and years of therapeutic work, Leslie unpacks: How people lose their voice over time Why the body reacts before the mind How relationships and family dynamics reinforce silence What reclaiming your voice actually takes — layer by layer If you’ve ever: Tightened up when trying to speak your truth Second-guessed your words in certain relationships Felt “too much,” not articulate enough, or quietly dismissed Gone silent to keep the peace This conversation is for you. Reclaiming your voice is not about becoming louder. It’s about becoming safer inside yourself. ⏱️ Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Why courage isn’t enough to reclaim your voice 01:00 – When speaking up once led to punishment or ridicule 02:00 – The deeper fear behind silence 03:00 – Growing up outspoken — and learning it wasn’t safe 04:00 – Mockery, sarcasm, and being “too much” 05:00 – Losing confidence after early performance experiences 06:00 – Subtle put-downs in intimate relationships 07:00 – Intelligence comparisons and self-monitoring speech 08:00 – From neuroscience to law: how self-doubt redirects lives 09:00 – How people actually lose their voice 10:00 – Silence as a learned nervous system response 11:00 – Trauma responses: tight throat, stammering, going blank 12:00 – Gender, power, and social penalties for speaking up 13:00 – Psychological harm in “quiet” relationships 14:00 – Awareness: recognizing where silence was learned 15:00 – Grieving the years you stayed small 16:00 – Your ideas aren’t gone — they’re waiting 17:00 – Experimenting with safer spaces to speak 18:00 – Therapy, coaching, and community support 19:00 – Regulation: staying present in your body 20:00 – Finding environments where your voice is welcomed 21:00 – Rebuilding self-trust 22:00 – When fear stops controlling you 23:00 – Teaching the nervous system it’s safe now 24:00 – Speaking without apology or performance 25:00 – Living authentically after silence 26:00 – Support, rebuilding, and next steps 27:00 – Closing reflections & invitation 🔗 Connect With Me Website: https://www.theloomlife.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theloomlife Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theloomlife Therapy Practice: Loom Life Therapy If this episode resonated, consider sharing it with someone who has gone quiet — not because they had nothing to say, but because it once wasn’t safe.

    28 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Pulling Threads is a podcast for women navigating life, career, past and current trauma, breakups and divorce, motherhood, reinvention, and the brave work of becoming who they’re meant to be. Hosted by therapist, coach, and founder of The LooM Life, Leslie Mathews, JD, MSW, this show blends trauma-informed guidance, nervous system education, and meaningful conversations about the patterns that shape our relationships, identity, and purpose. Each episode explores the complicated places where life asks us to grow — healing from emotional abuse, rebuilding after divorce, midlife identity shifts, attachment wounds, dating again, motherhood, and rediscovering your voice. Many guests share their own stories of reinvention, entrepreneurship, career pivots, and stepping into authenticity, offering inspiration and practical wisdom for women building new chapters. Through expert interviews, personal storytelling, and mindfulness-based tools, Pulling Threads supports women who are healing, expanding, and creating aligned lives and businesses. It’s a space for those navigating toxic dynamics, strengthening emotional regulation, or following the pull toward something more authentic and more fulfilling. If you’re ready to untangle old patterns, trust your intuition, and weave a life — and identity — that feels grounded, empowered, and true, this podcast is where your next chapter begins.

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